Reclining chair of the multiple type



June 19, 1962 P. s. FLETCHER 3,039,815

RECLINING CHAIR OF THE MULTIPLE TYPE Filed Aug. 31. 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet1 IN VEN TOR.

" Mina June 19, 1962 P. s. FLETCHER 3,039,815

RECLINING 0mm OF THE MULTIPLE TYPE Filed Aug. 51, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2June 19, 1.962 P. s. FLETCHER 3,039,315

RECLINING CHAIR OF THE MULTIPLE TYPE Filed Aug. 51, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet3 INVENTOR. FATE? .5. FZE'iCf/fl? June 19, 1962 P. s. FLETCHER 3,039,815

RECLINING CHAIR OF THE MULTIPLE TYPE Filed Aug. 31, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet4 IN VEN TOR.

Riff? 5. Flt/096"? AL FOFIVFKE United States Patent 3,039,815PLEi'ILl'NIi lG CHATR THE MULTIPLE TYEE Ieter S. Fietcher, Deirny Beach,Fla, assignor to Anton Lorenz Filed Aug. 31, 1959. Ser. No. 537,154Clmms. (1. 297-84) The present invention relates generally to recliningchairs, and in particular to an improved reclining chair of the typeincluding body-supporting means having a movable back-rest and a movableseat which are coordinated with each other to include several distinctphases of chair movement. This is a continuation-in-part of my earlierfiled application Serial No. 666,604 filed June 19, 1957 and entitledReclining Chairs, now abandoned.

The well known reclining chair comprises a support, body-supportingmeans including a back-rest and seat movably mounted on the support, anda leg-rest mounted beneath the seat and movable into various elevatedlegsupported positions incident to the chair movement. Heretofore therehas been two distinct types of reclining chair, those constructed with aunitary back-rest and seat mounted on a support for movement intovarious tilted positions and those constructed with a movable back-restand movable seat and mounted on the support for reclining and incliningmovement respectively. Chairs of the type incorporating a unitaryback-rest and seat were found to be most suitable for accommodating thechair occupant in a tilted back position, but in a sitting attitude,with the occupants leg supported on the elevated leg-rest. Chairs of thetype incorporating a movable back-rest and movable seat were found to bemost suitable for accommodating the chair occupant in a complete andfull relaxation position, with the occupants leg supported on theelevated leg-rest, in that the angle between the back-rest and seatincreases in response to the reclining movement of the chair.

' Of recent times there has been introduced an improved double ormultiple movement reclining chair which exhibits attritbutes of bothtypes of chairs which have been heretofore sold, to wit, those suitablefor accommodating the chair occupant in a semi-reclined or tilted backattitude and those suitable for accommodating the chair occupant in afully reclined or complete relaxation attitude. Provision is made insuch chairs of the double movement type for a first movement phase froma sitting position to an intermediate tilted position during which thereis substantially no angular displacement between the back-rest and seat,with the leg-rest moving to an elevated leg-supporting position and fora second movement phase from the intermediate tilted position to a fullyreclined position during which the angle between the seat and backrestopens up, with the leg-rest remaining in an elevated leg-supportingposition.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedreclining chair of the multiple movement type. Specifically, it iswithin the contemplation of the present invention to provide an improvedand simplified reclining chair having two distinct phases of movement.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating features ofthe present invention, a reclining chair is provided which comprises asupport and body-supporting means including a seat and back-rest adaptedto be mounted for movement from a sitting position through a firstmovement phase to an intermediate tilted position and through a secondmovement phase from the intermediate tilted position to a recliningposition. A link is pivotally connected at a seat pivot and extendsrearwardly therefrom, with the back-rest being operatively connected tothe link. Blocking means are operatively connected Patented June 19,1962 between the seat and back-rest and arranged to establish aprescribed angular relationship therebetween during the first movementphase and to preclude movement of the seat and back-rest towards eachother. The blocking means is further arranged to permit movement of theseat and back-rest away from each other during the second movement phaseto increase the angular relationship therebetween to establish areclining position for the chair. Front guiding means are pivotallymounted on the support at a first pivotal mount and pivotally connectedto the seat at a first pivotal connection. Rear guiding means arepivotally mounted on the support at a second pivotal mount and pivotallyconnected to the link at a point spaced rearwardly of the seat pivot.The front guide means, the portion of the seat and the link intermediatethe first and second pivotal connections, and the rear guiding meansserve as movable links during the first movement phase, with the portionof the support intermediate the first and second pivotal mounts servingas a stationary link. The front guiding means, the seat, and the linkserve as movable links during the second movement phase, with astationary link being provided intermediate the first pivotal mount andthe second pivotal connection.

The above brief description as well as further objects, features andadvantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated byreference to the following detailed description of several presentlypreferred illustrative embodiments in accordance with the presentinvention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and sectioned,showing a reclining chair of the double movement type embodying featuresof the present invention, with the chair shown in the upright or sittingposition;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but

showing the reclining chair in an intermediate tilted or semi-reclinedposition, with the leg-rest moved to an elevated leg-supportingposition; FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, similar to FIG. 2, butshowing the reclining chair in a fully reclined position wherein theback-rest and seat have been angularly displaced relative to each otherto establish a complete relaxation position for the chair occupant, withthe leg-rest being disposed in an elevated leg-supporting position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and sectioned,showing a reclining chair of the double movement type embodying featuresof the present invention, with the chair shown in the upright or sittingposition;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 4, but showing thereclining chair in an intermediate tilted or semi-reclined position,with the leg-rest moved to an elevated leg-supporting position;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, similar to FIG. 5, but showing thereclining chair in a fully reclined position wherein the back-rest andseat have been angularly displaced relative to each other to establish acomplete relaxation position for the chair occupant, with the leg-restbeing disposed in an elevated leg-supporting position;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and sectioned,showing a reclining chair of the double movement type embodying featuresof the present invention, with the chair shown in the upright or sittingposition;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 7, but showing thereclining chair in an intermediate tilted or semi-reclined position,with the leg-rest moved to an elevated leg-supporting position; and,

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view, similar to FIG. 8, but showing thereclining chair in a fully reclined position wherein the back-rest andseat have been angularly displaced relative to each other to establish acomplete relaxation position for the chair occupant, with the leg restbeing disposed in an elevated leg-supporting position.

Referring now specifically'to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, there isshown a first embodiment of a reclining chair demonstrating features ofthe present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10,which includes a support or frame 12 having opposite side walls 14, 16interconnected by suitable cross braces 18 and supported on dependinglegs 20.

Body-supporting means including a back-rest 22 and a seat 24 are movablymounted on the support 12 for reclining and inclining movementrespectively for a first movement phase from the sitting positionillustrated in FIG. 1 to the intermediate tilted position illustrated inFIG. 2 and for a second movement phase from the intermediate tiltedposition illustrated in FIG. '2 through a series of reclining positionsto a fully reclined or complete relaxation position illustrated in FIG.3.

Disposed beneath the forward end of the seat 24 is the leg-rest 26 whichis mounted from a stored or retracted position as shown in FIG. 1 toelevated leg-supporting positions, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As will bedescribed, the leg-rest 26 is coordinated to the backrest 22 and theseat 24 for movement into an elevated leg-supporting position inresponse to the first movement phase of the chair, with the leg-rest 26remaining substantially in the elevated leg-supporting position as thechair moves from the intermediate tilted or semi-reclined position ofFIG. 2 to the fully reclined position of FIG. 3.

In this illustrative embodiment, the seat 24 carries a rearwardlydirected rigid hanger arm 28 and extending rearwardly and downwardlyfrom the hanger arm 28 is a link 30 which is rigid with the back-restand has its upper and forward end pivotally connected to the hanger 28at a seat pivot 32.

Blocking means are operatively connected between the seat 24 and theback-rest 22 and are arranged to establish a prescribed angularrelationship therebetween during the first movement phase and topreclude movement of the seat 24 and the back-rest 22 toward each other.In this illustrative embodiment, the hanger 28 includes an integralblocking arm 34 which projects rearwardly of the seat pivot 32 andengages a stationary blocking plate 36 integral with the link 39 andprojecting rearwardly therefrom. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the blockingarm 34 and blocking plate 36 are in abutment with each other when theseat 24 and the back-rest 22 are disposed in the requisite angularrelationship for the sitting and intermediate tilted positions. As maybe appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 2 and 3, the blockingarm 34 and blocking plate 36 permit relative movement of the seat 24 andback-rest 22 away from each other during the second movement phase toincrease the angular relationship therebetween to establish the properrelationship between the seat and back-rest for the reclining positionillustrated in FIG. 3.

A front guiding 'means, generally designated by the reference number 38,is operatively connected between the support 12 and the seat 24 whichguiding means is operative during the first and second movement phasesof the chair. In this illustrative embodiment, the front guiding meansincludes a first link 46 extending rearwardly and downwardly from itsupper end to its lower end and having a pivotal mount 42 at its upperend on the support 12. Extending upwardly from the lower end of thefirst link 49 is a second link 44 which has a pivotal connection 46 atits lower end to the first link 40 and a pivotal connection 48 at itsupper end to the seat 24. The links 40, 44 are arranged such that theintermediate pivotal connection 46 rests on the cross brace 18 servingas a stop, with the link 44 turning in the clockwise direction about thepivotal connection 46 serving as a stationary pivotal mount during thefirst movement phase, and with the link 40 turning in thecounterclockwise direction about the stationary pivotal mount 42 duringthe second movement phase.

A rear guiding means, generally designated by the reference numeral 50,is operatively connected between the link 30 and the support 12 forguiding the rearward portion of the body-supporting means during thefirst movement phase, with the rear guiding means remaining stationaryrelative to the support and providing a backrest pivot during the secondmovement phase. In this illustrative embodiment, the rear guiding means56 includes a rear guiding link 52 which has a pivotal mount 54 at itslower end on the support and a pivotal connection 56 at its upper end tothe lower and rearward end of the link 30 which is rigid or integralwith the back-rest 22.

Provision is made for blocking relative movement between the link 44 ofthe front guide means 38 and the seat 24 at the end of the firstmovement phase and for blocking turning movement of the rear guidinglink 52 about its pivotal mount 54. Specifically, the seat 24 carries adepending stop 58 in the region of the pivotal connection 48 which stopbecomes coextensive with the adjacent end portion of the link 44 in theintermediate tilted position and for all intents and purposes rendersthe link 44 rigid with the seat 24 during the second move ment phase.Further, a stop 60 is located rearwardly of the rear guiding link 52 toabut the link 52 in the intermediate tilted position to preclude furtherclockwise movement of the rear guiding link about its pivotal mount 54.

The first movement phase guiding linkage includes the link 44 of thefront guiding means, the portion of the seat 24 and the link 30intermediate the pivotal connection 48 and the pivotal connection 56,and the rear guiding link 52 as the movable link thereof and the portionof the support 12 intermediate the pivotal connection 46 and the pivotalmount 54 as the stationary link thereof. In this connection, it shouldbe recalled that the blocking means 34, 36 renders the seat 24 and theback-rest 22 rigid with each other during the first movement phase. Thesecond movement phase guiding linkage includes the link 40 of the frontguiding means 38, the portion of the seat 24 intermediate the pivotalconnection 46 and the seat pivot 32, and the link 30 as the movable linkthereof, with a staionary link being provided intermediate the pivotalmount 42 and the pivotal connection 56, the latter serving as arelatively stationary pivotal mount during the second movement phase.

In this illustrative embodiment, the leg-rest 26 is mounted for movementfrom the retracted position of FIG. 1 to the elevated leg-supportingposition illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 by a leg-rest mounting linkageincluding a first mounting link 62 which has a pivotal mount 64 at itsupper end on the support 12 and a pivotal connection 66 at its lower endon the leg-rest 26 and a second mounting link 68 which has a pivotalmount 70 at its lower end on the support at a point spaced below thepivotal mount 64. The mounting link 68 is coupled to the mounting link62 and to the leg-rest 26 by a first connecting link 71 which has apivotal connection 72 at its rearward end to the upper end of themounting link 68 and a pivotal connection 74 at its forward end to themounting link 62 at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 66 to theleg-rest and a further connecting link 76 which has a pivotal connection78 at its rearward end to the connecting link 71 at a point spacedrearwardly of the pivotal connection 74 and a pivotal connection 80 atits forward end to the leg-rest 26 at a point spaced from the pivotalconnection 66. The leg-rest mounting linkage thus described is actuatedfrom the back-rest 22 via a doublearm actuating lever 82 which has apivotal mount 84 intermediate its ends on the support. The arm 82a ofthe double-arm lever 82 is coupled to the back-rest 22 by a connectinglink 86 which has a pivotal connection 88 at its forward end to the arm82a and a pivotal connection 99 at its rearward end to the back-rest ata point spaced forwardly of the pivotal connection 56. The arm 82b ofthe double-arm lever 82 is coupled to the mounting link 68 via a furtherconnecting link 92 which has a pivotal connection 94 at its rearward endto the arm 82b and a pivotal connection 96 at its forward end to themounting link 68 intermediate the ends thereof. Accordingly, in responseto the rearward movement of the back-rest 22 during both the first andsecond movement phases, a rearwardly directed thrust is imparted via theconnecting link 86 to the arm 82a of the double-arm actuating lever 82which swings the arm 82b thereof in the clockwise direction about thepivotal mount 84. Such clockwise movement imparts a forward thrust viathe connecting link 92 to the mounting link 68 which turns the mountinglink 68 in the counterclockwise direction about the pivotal mount 70thereby moving the leg-rest from the stored position to the severalelevated leg-supporting positions.

For a better understanding of this illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention, reference will be made to a typical sequence ofoperations:

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair and leans against theback-rest 22 the body-supporting unit 22, 24 is displaced rearwardly anddownwardly relative to the support with no angular displacement betweenthe back-rest 22 and the seat 24. During such initial or first movementphase, the forward portion of the seat 24 is guided by the link 44 ofthe front guiding means or linkage 38 which turns in the clockwisedirection about the pivotal connection 46 serving as a pivotal mount.The rearward portion of the seat and the back-rest which is rigidtherewith are guided by the rear guiding link 52 which likewise turns inthe clockwise direction about its pivotal connection 54. Incident tosuch rearward movement of the body-supporting unit, the requisiteturning movement is imparted to the double-arm actuating lever 82 andthe leg-rest 26 moves to the elevated leg-supporting position. The endof the first movement phase is established when the link 44 abuts thestop 58 and when substantially simultaneously the rear guiding link 52abuts the stop 60. At such time, and as illustrated in FIG. 2, the link44 becomes unitary with the seat 24 and together define a single movablelink for the second movement phase intermediate the pivotal connection46 and the seat pivot 32. When the rear guiding link 52 abuts the stop60, the link 52 becomes unitary with the support for all intents andpurposes and thereafter the pivotal connection 56 to the link serves asa relatively stationary pivot for the second movement phase. When thechair occupant exerts continued pressure with the chair in theintermediate tilted or semi-reclined position of FIG. 2, the back-rest22 begins to turn about the relatively fixed or stationary pivotal mount56, with the seat 24 being guided by the link which turns in thecounter-clockwise direction about the pivotal mount 42. As may beappreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 2 and 3, the action of thefront guiding means 38 is to guide the seat 24 generally upwardly withapproximately the same inclination, while the back-rest is turning aboutthe pivotal mount 56 such that the included angle between the back-restand seat opens up to establish the fully reclined position of FIG. 3.The second movement phase continues until such time as the secondmovement phase linkage is blocked, for example, by the contact of thelower portion of the back-rest 22 with the rear cross brace 18 servingas a stop. It will be appreciated that during the second movement phasea relatively small rearward thrust is imparted to the connecting link 86which results in a small turning movement of the actuating lever 82 suchthat the leg-rest 26 is somewhat further elevated as may be appreciated,by comparing the relative position of the links 68, 71 in the FIG. 2 andFIG. 3 respectively. When the chair occupant desires to restore thechair to the upright sitting position illustrated in FIG. 1, theoccupant leans forwardly such that the back-rest, seat and leg- 15 restmove through the reverse sequence of movement with the chair firstmoving into the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2 and then beingreturned to the upright or sitting position illustrated in FIG. '1.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 4 to 6 of the drawings there isshown a further embodiment of a reclining chair demonstrating featuresof the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral110, which includes a support or frame 112 having opposite side walls114, 116 interconnected by suitable cross braces 118 and supported ondepending legs 120.

Body-supporting means including a back-rest 122 and a seat 124 aremovably mounted on the support 112 for reclining and inclining movementrespectively for a first movement phase from the sitting positionillustrated in FIG. 4 to the intermediate tilted position illustrated inFIG. 5 and for a second movement phase from the intermediate tiltedposition illustrated in FIG. 5 through a series of reclining positionsto a fully reclined or complete relaxation position illustrated in FIG.6.

Disposed beneath the forward end of the seat 124 is the leg-rest 126which is mounted for movement from a stored or retracted position asshown in FI G. 4 to elevated leg-supporting positions, as shown in FIGS.5 and 6. As will be described, the leg-rest 126 is coordinated to theback-rest 122 and the seat 124 for movement into an elevatedleg-supporting position in response to the first movement phase of thechair, with the leg-rest 126 remaining substantially in the elevatedleg-supporting position as the chair moves from the intermediate tiltedor semi-reclined position of FIG. 5 to the fully reclined position ofFIG. 6.

In this illustrative embodiment, the seat 124 carries a rearwardlydirected rigid hanger arm 123. Extending rearwardly and downwardly fromthe hanger arm 128 is a link 130 which is rigid with the back-rest andhas its upper and forward end pivotally connected to the hanger 128 at aseat pivot 132.

Blocking means are operatively connected between the seat 124 and theback-rest 122 and are arranged to establish a prescribed angularrelationship therebetween durlIlg the first movement phase and topreclude movement of the seat 124 and the back-rest 122 toward eachother. In this illustrative embodiment, the hanger 128 includes anintegral blockin arm 134 which projects rearwardly of the seat pivot 132and engages a stationary blocking plate 138 integral with the link 1311and projecting rearwardly therefrom. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 theblocking arm 134 and blocking plate 136 are in abutment with each otherwhen the seat 124 and the back-rest 122 are disposed in the requisiteangular relationship for the sitting and intermediate tilted positions.As may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 5 and 6, theblocking arm 134 and blocking plate 136 permit relative movement of theseat 124 and back-rest 122 away from each other during the secondmovement phase to increase the angular relationship therebetween toestablish the proper relationship between the seat and backrest for thereclining position illustrated in FIG. 6.

A front guiding means, generally designated by the reference number 138is operatively connected between the support 112 and the seat 124 whichguiding means is operative during the first and second movement of thechair. In this illustrative embodiment, the front guiding means includesa link 140 extending forwardly and downwardly from its upper end to itslower end and having a pivotal mount 142 at its upper end on the support112. Extending downwardly from the seat 124 is a depending extensionwhich has a pivotal connection 146 at its lower end to the lower end ofthe link 140. The link 140 turns in the counterclockwise direction aboutthe pivotal mount 142 during the first and second movement phases.

A. rear guiding means, generally designated by the reference numeral150, is operatively connected between the link 130 and the support 112for guiding the rearward portion of the body-supporting means during thefirst movement phase, with the rear guiding means remaining stationaryrelative to the support and providing a back-rest pivot during thesecond movement phase. In this illustrative embodiment, the rear guidingmeans 150 includes a double-arm lever 152 which has a pivotal mount 154intermediate its ends on the support. The upwardly extending arm 152a ofthe double-arm lever 152 has a pivotal connection 156 at its upper endto the lower and rearward end of the link 130 which is rigid or integralwith the back-rest 122.

Provision is made for blocking turning movement of the rear guiding link152a about its pivotal mount 154. Specifically, a stop 169 is locatedrearwardly of the rear guiding link 152a to abut the link in theintermediate tilted position of FIG. to preclude further clockwisemovement of the link about its pivotal mount 154.

The first movement phase guiding linkage includes the link 140, theportion of the seat 124 and the link 130 intermediate the pivotalconnection 146 and the pivotal connection 156, and the rear guiding link152a as the movable link thereof and the portion of the support 112intermediate the pivotal mount 142 and the pivotal mount 154 as thestationary link thereof, it being recalled that the blocking means 134,136 renders the seat 124 and the back-rest 122 rigid with each otherduring the first movement phase. The second movement phase guidinglinkage includes the link 140, the portion of the seat 124 intermediatethe pivotal connection 146 and the pivot 132, and the link 130 as themovable link thereof, with a stationary link being provided intermediatethe pivotal mount 142 and the pivotal connection 156, the latter servingas a relatively stationary pivotal mount during the second movementphase.

In this illustrative embodiment the leg-rest 126 is mounted for movementfrom the retracted position of FIG. 4 to the elevated leg-supportingpositions illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 by a mounting link or arm 162which has a pivotal mount 164 at its upper end on the seat 124. Thelower end of the mounting arm 162 is confined within a trolley member166 by appropriate bearings 168, the bearings being engaged within atrack or guideway 170 formed within the leg-rest 126. Appropriate stops,not shown are associated with the trolley member 166, which with themounting arm 162 provides an adjustable length coupling between the seat124 and the leg-rest 126. The leg-rest 126 is coupled to the back-rest122 by a coordinating linkage including a first guiding link 172 whichhas a pivotal mount 174 at its upper end On the support, a

second guiding link 176 which has a pivotal mount 176 at its upper endon the support, a first coupling or connecting link 180 which extendsbetween the guiding link 172 and the arm 15212 of the double-arm lever152 which has a pivotal connection 184 at its forward end to the guidinglink 172 and a pivotal connection 186 at its rearward end to the arm15212, and a further coupling or connecting link 188 which has a pivotalconnection 191 at its rearward end to the guiding link 172, a pivotalconnection 192 intermediate its ends to the lower end of the guidinglink 176, and a pivotal connection 194 at its forward end to themounting arm 162. Accordingly, in response to the rearward turningmovement of the rear guiding link 152a, a forward thrust is imparted viathe respective connecting links 180, 188 and the guiding links 172, 176to the leg-rest for moving the same to the elevated leg-supportingposition. In this embodiment the arm 1521; remains stationary during thesecon movement phase and accordingly the leg-rest actuating linkage iseffectively blocked.

For a better understanding of this illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention, reference will be made to a typical sequence ofoperations.

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair 11d and leans against theback-rest, the body-supporting unit 122, 124 is displaced rearwardly anddownwardly relative to the support with no angular displacement betweenthe back-rest 122 and the seat 124. During such initial or firstmovement phase, the forward portion of the seat 124 is guided by thelink 14!) which turns in the counterclockwise direction about thepivotal mount 142, with the rearward portion of the seat and theback-rest which is rigid therewith being guided by the rear guiding link152a which turns in the clockwise direction about its pivotal mount 154.Incident to such rearward movement of the body-supporting unit, therequisite turning movement is imparted via the double-arm actuatinglever 152 to the leg-rest mounting linkage and the leg-rest moves to theelevated leg-supporting position. The end of the first movement phase isestablished when the rear guiding link 152 abuts the stop 160. At suchtime and as illustrated in FIG. 5, the link 152a becomes unitary withthe support for all intents and purposes and thereafter the pivotalconnection 156 to the link 13% serves as a relatively stationary pivotfor the second movement phase. When the chair occupant exerts continuedpressure with the chair in the intermediate tilted or semireclinedposition of FIG. 5, the back-rest 122 begins to turn about therelatively fixed or stationary pivotal mount 156, with the seat 124being guided by the link 4%} which continues turning in thecounterclockwise direction about the pivotal mount 42. As may beappreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 5 and 6, the action of thefront guiding means 138 is to guide the seat generally upwardly atapproximately the same inclination, while the back-rest is turning aboutthe pivotal mount 156 such that the included angle between the back-restand seat opens up to establish the fully reclined position of FIG. 6.The second movement phase continues until such time as the secondmovement phase linkage is blocked, for example by the contact of thelower portion of the back-rest 122 with a rear cross brace serving as astop. When the chair occupant desiresv to restore the chair to theupright sitting position illustrated in FIG. 4, the occupant leansforwardly such that the =back-rest, seat and leg-rest move through thereverse sequence of movement with the chair first moving into theintermediate tilted position of FIG. 5 and then being returned to theupright or sitting position illustrated in FIG. 4.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 7 to 9 of the drawings there isshown a still further embodiment of a reclining chair demonstratingfeatures of the present invention, generally designated by the referencenumeral 210, which includes a support or frame 212, having opposite sidewalls 214, 216 interconnected by suitable cross braces 218 and supportedon depending legs 220.

Body-supporting means including a back-rest 222 and a seat 224 aremovably mounted on the support 212 for reclining and inclining movementrespectively for a first movement phase from the sitting positionillustrated in FIG. 7 to the intermediate tilted position illustrated inFIG. 8 and for a second movement phase from the intermediate tiltedposition illustrated in FIG. 8 through a series of reclining positionsto a fully reclined or com plete relaxation position illustrated in FIG.9.

Disposed beneath the forward end of the seat 224 is the leg-rest 226which is mounted for movement from a stored or retracted position asshown in FIG. 7 to elevated leg-supporting positions, as shown in FIGS.8 and 9. As will be described, the leg-rest 226 is coordinated to theback-rest 222 and the seat 224 for movement into an elevatedleg-supporting position in response to the first movement phase of thechair, with the leg-rest 226 remaining substantially in the elevatedleg-supporting position as the chair moves from the intermediate tiltedor semi-reclined position of FIG. 8a to the fully reclined position ofFIG. 9.

In this illustrative embodiment, the seat 224 carries a rearwardlydirected rigid hanger arm 22% and extending rearwardly and downwardlyfrom the hanger arm 228 is 9 a link 23 which is rigid with the back-rest222 and has its upper and forward end pivotally connected to the hanger228 at a seat pivot 232.

Blocking means are operatively connected between the' seat 224 and theback-rest 222 and are arranged to establish a prescribed angularrelationship therebetween during the first movement phase and topreclude movement of the seat 224 and the back-rest toward each other.In this illustrative embodiment, the hanger 228 includes an integralblocking arm 234 which projects rearwardly of the seat pivot 232 andengages a stationary blocking plate 231) integral with the link 230 andprojecting rearwardly therefrom. As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 the blockingarm 234 and blocking plate 236 are in abutment with each other when theseat 224 and the back-rest 222 are disposed in the requisite angularrelationship for the sitting and tilted positions. As may be appreciatedby progressively inspecting FIGS. 8 and 9,. the blocking arm 234 andblocking plate 236 permit relative movement of the seat and back-restaway from each other during the second movement phase to increase theangular relationship therebetween to establish the proper relationshipbetween the seat and back-rest for the reclining position illustrated inFIG. 9.

A front seat guiding means, generally designated by the reference number238, is operatively connected between the support 212 and the seat 224which seat guiding means is operative during the first and secondmovement phases of the chair. In this illustrative embodiment, the frontseat guiding means includes a first link 240 extending rearwardly anddownwardly from its upper end to its lower end and having a pivotalmount 242 at its upper end on the support. Extending across the lowerend of the first link 240 is a double-arm lever 224 which has a pivotalconnection or mount 246 intermediate its ends on the first link 240,with the arm 244 having a pivotal connection 248 at its upper end to theseat 224. The link 240 rests on a stop 249 during the first movementphase, with the arm 244a of the lever 244 turning in the clockwisedirection about the pivotal connection 246 serving as a stationarypivotal mount to guide the seat 224. During the second movement phase,the link 240 turns in the counterclockwise direction about thestationary pivotal mount 242 and along with the arm 2441) guides theseat 224. Dur ng the first movement phase the depending arm 24411 of thedouble-arm lever 244 turns in the clockwise direction about the pivotalconnection 246 to serve as an actuating means for the rear guiding means25! which will now be described.

In this illustrative embodiment, the rear guiding 251) includes firstand second rear guiding links 252, 253 which have their adjacent endsinterconnected at a pivotal connection 255 serving as the knee pivot ofa toggle link pair. The rear guiding link 252 has a pivotal mount 254 atits lower end on the support and the rear guiding link 253 has a pivotalconnection 256 at its upper end to the link 239. Normally the knee pivot255 of the toggle link pair 252, 253 is disposed to the rear of a deadcenter position, with the link 252 resting against a stop 257 as shownin FIG. 7. In response to actuation of the toggle ink pair 252, 253, asby the application of a forwardly directed pulling force to the kneepivot 255, the toggle link pair moves forwardly through the dead centerposition, bringing about a rapid lowering of the rearward portion of thebody-supporting means 222, 224, with the link 252 coming to rest againstthe stop 259 and the link 253 coming to rest against the stop 260, asshown in FIG. 8. The toggle link pair of the rear guide means 259 isactuated from the depending arm 2442; of the double-arm lever 244 byprovision of an actuating link 261 which has its rearward end pivotallyconnected to the toggle link pair 252, 253 at the knee pivot 255 and hasits forward end pivotally connected to the arm 2441) at the pivotalconnection 263. Accordingly, in response to clockwise turning movementof the arm 244k about the pivotal mount if 246, the requisite pullingforce is imparted link pair 252, 253.

Provision is made for blocking relative movements between the link 244of the front guide means 238 and the seat 224 at the end of the firstmovement phase. Specifically, the seat 224 carries 21 depending stop 25%in the region of the pivotal connection 248 which stop becomescoextensive with the adjacent end portion of the link 244 in theintermediate tilted position and for all intents and purposes rendersthe link 244 rigid with the seat 224 dur ing the second movement phase.

The first movement phase guiding linkage includes the link 244, theportion of the seat 224 and the link 23% intermediate the pivotalconnection 248 and the pivotal connection 256, the rear guiding links252, 253 of the toggle linkage mechanism and the actuating link 261 asthe movable link thereof, with a stationary link being providedintermediate the pivotal connection 246 and the pivotal mount 254, itbeing recalled that the blocking means 234, 236 renders the seat 224 andthe back-rest 222 rigid with each other during the first movement phase.

The second movement phase guiding linkage includes the links 240, 244aof the front seat guiding means 238, the portion of the seat 224intermediate the pivotal connection 243 and the seat pivot 232, and thelink 230 as the movable link thereof, with a stationary link beingprovided intermediate the pivotal mount 242 and the pivotal connection25b, the latter serving as a relatively stationary pivotal mount duringthe second movement phase.

In this illustrative embodiment, the leg-rest 226 is mounted formovement from the retracted position of FIG. 7 to the elevatedleg-supporting position illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 by a leg-restmounting linkage including a first mounting link 262 which has a pivotalmount 26-4 at its upper end on the support 212 and a pivotal connection266 at its lower end on the leg-rest 226 and a second mounting link 268which has a pivotal mount 279 at its lower end on the support at a pointspaced below the pivotal mount 264. The mounting link 268 is coupled tothe mounting link 262 and to the leg-rest 226 by a first connecting link271 which has a pivotal connection 272 at its rearward end to the upperend of the mounting link 268 and a pivotal connection 274 at its forwardend to the mounting link 262 at a point spaced from the pivotalconnection 266 to the leg-rest and a further connecting link 276 whichhas a pivotal connection 278 at its rearward end to the connecting link276 at a point spaced rearwardly of the pivotal connection 274 and apivotal connection 286 at its forward end to the leg-rest 226 at a pointspaced from the pivotal connection 266. The legrest mounting linkage tus described is actuated from the back-rest 222 via a double-armactuating lever 282 which ha a pivotal mount 284 intermediate its endson the support. The arm 282a of the double-arm lever 282 is coupled tothe back-rest 222 by a connecting link 236 which has a pivotalconnection 288 at its forward end to the arm 282a and a pivotalconnection 2% at its rearward end to the back-rest 222 at a point spaceddownwardly of the pivotal connection 256. The arm 2821; of thedouble-arm lever 282 is coupled to the mounting link 268 via a furtherconnecting link 292 which has a pivotal connection 294 at its rearwardend to the arm 28212 and a pivotal conenction 2% at its forward end tothe mounting link 268 intermediate the ends thereof. Accordingly, inresponse to the rearward movement of the back-rest 222 during both thefirst and second movement phases, a rearwardly directed thrust isimparted via the connecting link 286 to the arm 282a of the double-armactuating lever 282 which swings the arm 282k thereof in the clockwisedirection about the pivotal mount 284. Such clockwise movement imparts aforward thrust via the connecting link 292 to the mounting link 268which turns the mounting link 268 in the counterclockwse direction aboutthe pivotal mount 27% thereby moving the leg-rest from to the toggle 11the stored position to the several elevated leg-supporting positions.

For a better understanding of this illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention, reference will be made to a typical sequence ofoperations:

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair 210 and leans against theback-rest, the body-supporting means 222, 224 is disp aced rearwardlyand downwardly relative to the support, with no angular displacementbetween the back-rest 222 and the seat 224, during an initial or firstmovement phase. The forward portion of the seat 224 is guided by the armor link 244a, of the front seat guiding means or linkage 238 which turnsin the clockwise direction about the pivotal connection 246 serving as apivotal mount. The rearward portion of the body-supporting means 222,zaa is guided by the rear guiding linkage 252., 253 which is initiallyactuated by its coupling to the depending arm 24% of the front guidinglink 244a. Incident to such rearward movement of the body-supportingmeans, the requisite turning movement is imparted to the double-armactuating lever 232 and the leg-rest 226 moves to the elevatedleg-supporting position. The end of the first movement phase isestablished when the link 244 abuts the stop 258 and when substantiallysimultaneously the rear guiding links 252, 253 abut the stops 259, 26%At such time and as illustrated in FIG. 8 the lever 24-4- becomesunitary with the seat 224 and together define a single movable link forthe second movement phase intermediate the pivotal connection 246 andthe seat pivot 232. Also the links 252, 253 of the toggle link pairbecome unitary with the support for all intents and purposes andthereafter the pivotal connection 256 to the link 230 serves as arelatively stationary pivotal mount for the second movement phase. Whenthe chair occupant exerts continued pressure with the chair in theintermediate tilted or semi-reclined position of FIG. 8, the back-rest222 begins to turn about the relatively fixed or stationary pivotalmount 256, with the seat 224 being guided by the link 24!) which turnsin the counterclockwise direction about the pivotal mount 242. As may beappreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 8 and 9, the action of thefront guiding means 238 on the seat is to guide the same generallyupwardly, with approximately the same inclination, while the back-rest222 is turning about the pivotal mount 256 such that the included anglebetween the back-rest and seat opens up to establish the fully reclinedposition of FIG. 9. The second movement phase continues until such timeas the second movement phase linkage is blocked, for example by thecontact of the leg-rest mounting link 268 against the stop 298. It willbe appreciated that during the second movement phase a small rearwardthrust is imparted to the connecting link 286 which results in the sameturning movement of the actuating lever 282, such that the leg-rest 226is somewhat further elevated as may be appreciated by comparing therelative position of the links 258, 271 in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9respectively. When the chair occupant desires to restore the chair tothe upright sitting position illustrated in FIG. 7, the occupant leansforwardly such that the back-rest, seat and leg-rest move through thereverse sequence of movement with the chair first moving into theintermediate tilted position of FIG. 8 and then being returned to theupright or sitting position illustrated in FIG. 7.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in theforegoing disclosure and in some instances some features of theinvention will be employed without a corresponding use of otherfeatures. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims beconstrued broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scopeof the invention herein.

What I claim is:

1. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a seat and back-rest adapted to move from a sitting positionthrough a first movement phase to an intermediate tilted position andthrough a second movement phase to a reclining position, a linkpivotally connected to said seat at a seat pivot and extendingrearwardly therefrom, means operatively connecting said back-rest tosaid link, blocking means operatively connected between said seat andback-rest and arranged to establish a prescribed angular relationshiptherebetween during said first movement phase and to preclude movementof said seat and back-rest toward each other, said blocking means beingfurther arranged to permit movement of said seat and back-rest away fromeach other during said second movement phase to increase the angularrelationship therebetween to establish a reclining position, frontguiding means pivotally mounted on said support at a first pivotal mountand pivotally connected to said seat at a first pivotal connection, andrear guiding means pivotally mounted on said support at a second pivotalmount and pivotally connected to said link at a point spaced rearwardlyof said seat pivot.

2. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a seat and back-rest adapted to move from a sitting positionthrough a first movement phase to an intermediate tilted position andthrough a second movement phase to a reclining position, a linkpivotally connected to said seat at a seat pivot and extendingrearwardly therefrom, means operatively connecting said back-rest tosaid link, blocking means operatively connected between said seat andback-rest and arranged to establish a prescribed angular relationshiptherebetween during said first movement phase and to preclude movementof said seat and back-rest toward each other, said blocking means beingfurther arranged to permit movement of said seat and back-rest away fromeach other during said second movement phase to increase the angularrelationship therebetween to establish a reclining position, frontguiding means pivotally mounted on said support at a first pivotal mountand pivotally connected to said seat at a first pivotal connection, andrear guiding means pivotally mounted on said support at a second pivotalmount and pivotally connected to said link at a point spaced rearwardlyof said seat pivot, said front guiding means, the portion of said seatand said link intermediate said first and second pivotal connections,and said rear guiding means serving as movable links during said firstmovement phase with a stationary link being provided intermediate saidfirst and second pivotal mounts, said front guiding means, said seat andsaid link serving as movable links during said second movement phasewith a stationary link being provided intermediate said first pivotalmount and said second pivotal connectron.

3. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a seat and back-rest adapted to move from a sitting positionthrough a first movement phase to an intermediate tilted position andthrough a second movement phase to a reclining position, a linkpivotally connected to said seat at a seat pivot and extendlngrearwardly therefrom, means operatively connecting said back-rest tosaid link, blocking means operatively connected between said seat andback-rest and arranged to establish a prescribed angular relationshiptherebetween during said first movement phase and to preclude movementof said seat and back-rest toward each other, said blocking means beingfurther arranged to permit movement of said seat and back-rest away fromeach other during said second movement phase to increase the angularrelationship therebetween to establish a reclining position, frontguiding means pivotally mounted on said support at a first pivotal mountand pivotally connected to said seat at a first pivotal connection, rearguiding means pivotally mounted on said support at a second pivotalmount and pivotally connected to said link at a point spaced rearwardlyof said seat pivot, said front guiding means, the portion of said seatand said link intermediate said first and second pivotal connections,and said rear guiding means serving as movable links during said firstmovement phase with a stationary link being provided intermediate saidfirst and second pivotal mounts, and a. stop engaging said rear guidingmeans at the end of said first movement phase to establish saidintermediate tilted position, said front guiding means, said seat andsaid link serving as movable links during said second movement phasewith a stationary link being provided inter mediate said first pivotalmount and said second pivotal connection.

4. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a seat and back-rest adapted to move from a sitting positionthrough a first movement phase to an intermediate tilted position andthrough a second movement phase to a reclining position, a linkpivotally connected to said seat at a seat pivot and extendingrearwardly therefrom, means operatively connecting said back-rest tosaid link, blocking means operative between said seat and back-rest toestablish a prescribed angular relationship therebetween during saidfirst movement phase, said blocking means being arranged to precludemovement of said seat and back-rest toward each other during said firstand second movement phases and to permit movement of said seat andback-rest away from each other during said second movement phase toestablish a reclining position, front guiding means pivotally mounted onsaid support at a first pivotal mount and pivotally connected to saidseat at a first pivotal connection, rear guiding means pivotally mountedon said support at a second pivotal mount and pivotally connected tosaid link at a second pivotal connection spaced rearwardly of said seatpivot, at least a portion of said front guiding means, the portion ofsaid seat and said link intermediate said first and second pivotalconnections, and said rear guiding means serving as movable links duringsaid first movement phase with a stationary link being providedintermediate said first and second pivotal mounts, and a stop engagingone of said guiding means at the end of said first movement phase toestablish said intermediate tilted position, at least a portion of saidfront guiding means, said seat and said link serving as movable linksduring said second movement phase with a stationary l nk being providedintermediate said first pivotal mount and a pivotal connection of saidrear guiding means.

5. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a seat and back-rest adapted to move from a sitting positionthrough a first movement phase to an intermediate tilted position andthrough a second movement phase to a reclining position, a linkpivotally connected to said seat at a seat pivot and extendingrearwardly therefrom, means operatively connecting said back-rest tosaid link, blocking means operative between said seat and back-rest toestablish a prescribed angular relationship therebetween during saidfirst movement phase, said blocking means being arranged to precludemovement of said seat and back-rest toward each other during said firstand second movement phases and to permit movement of said seat andback-rest away from each other during said second movement phase toestablish a reclining position, front guiding means pivotally mounted onsaid support at a first pivotal mount and pivotally connected to saidseat at a first pivotal connection, rear guiding means pivotally mountedon said support at a second pivotal mount and pivotally connected tosaid link at a point spaced rearwardly of said seat pivot, and a stopengaging one of said guiding means at the end of said first movementphase to establish said intermediate tilted position.

6. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a seat and back-rest adapted to move from a sitting positionthrough a first movement phase to an intermediate tilted position andthrough a second movement phase to a reclining position, a linkpivotally connected to said seat at a seat pivot and extendingrearwardly therefrom, means operatively connecting said back-rest tosaid link, blocking means operative between said seat and back-rest toestablish a prescribed angular relationship therebetween during said rstmovement phase, said blocking means being arranged to preclude movementof said seat and back-rest toward each other during said first andsecond movement phases and to permit movement of said seat and back-restaway from each other during said second movement phase to establish areclining position, a front guiding linkage including first and secondfront guiding links having a pivotal interconnection, said front guidinglinkage being mouted on said support at a first pivotal mount andpivotally connected to said seat at a first pivotal connection, rearguiding means pivotally mounted on said support at a second pivotalmount and pivotally connected to said link at a point spaced rearwardlyof said seat pivot, said second front guiding link, the portion of saidseat and said link intermediate said first and second pivotalconnections, and said rear guiding means serving as movable links duringsaid first movement phase with a stationary link being providedintermediate said pivotal interconnection and said second pivotal mount,a stop engaging one of said guiding means at the end of said firstmovement phase to establish said intermediate tilted position, saidfirst front guiding link, said second front guiding link, said seat andsaid link serving as movable links during said second movement phasewith a stationary link being provided intermediate said first pivotalmount and a pivotal connection of said rear guiding means.

7. A reclining chair comprising a support, body support means includinga seat and back-rest adapted to move from a sitting position through afirst movement phase to an intermediate tilted position and through asecond movement phase to a reclining position, a link pivotallyconnected to said seat at a seat pivot and extending rearwardlytherefrom, means operatively connecting said back-rest to said link,blocking means operative between said seat and back-rest to establish aprescribed angular relationship therebetween during said first movementphase, said blocking means being arranged to preclude movement of saidseat and back-rest toward each other during said first and secondmovement phases and to permit movement of said seat and backrest awayfrom each other during said second movement phase to establish areclining position, a front guiding link pivotally mounted on saidsupport at a first pivotal mount and pivotally connected to said seat ata first pivotal connection, rear guiding means pivotally mounted on saidsupport at a second pivotal mount and pivotally connected to said linkat a point spaced rearwardly of said seat pivot, said front guidinglink, the portion of said seat and said link intermediate said first andsecond pivotal connections, and said rear guiding means serving asmovable links during said first movement phase with a stationary linkbeing provided intermediate said first and second pivotal mounts, a stopengaging one of said guiding means at the end of said first movementphase to establish said intermediate tilted position, said front guidinglink, said seat and said link serving as movable links during saidsecond movement phase with a stationary link being provided intermediatesaid first pivotal mount and a pivotal connection of said rear guidingmeans.

8. A reclining chair according to claim 7 wherein said rear guidingmeans includes a toggle linkage pair having a pivotal interconnectionbetween the links thereof, said pivotal interconnection serving as astationary pivotal mount during said second movement phase.

9. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a seat and back-rest adapted to move from a sitting positionthrough a first move phase to an intermediate tilted position andthrough a second movement phase to a reclining position, a linkpivotally connected to said seat at a seat pivot and extending rear-Wardly therefrom, means operatively connecting said back-rest to saidlink, blocking means operative between said seat and back-rest toestablish a prescribed angular relationship therebetween during saidfirst movement phase, said blocking means being arranged to precludemovement of said seat and back-rest toward each other during said firstand second movement phases and to permit movement of said seat andback-rest away from each other during said second movement phase toestablish a reclining position, front guiding means pivotally mounted onsaid support at a first pivotal mount and pivotally connected to saidseat at a first pivotal connection, rear guiding means pivotally mountedon said support at a second pivotal mount and pivotally connected tosaid link at a point spaced rearwardly of said seat pivot, a leg-rest,means mounting said leg-rest for movement from a stored position to anelevated leg-supporting position, and means operable during said firstmovement phase for moving said leg-rest to said elevated leg-supportingposition.

10. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a seat and back-rest adapted to move from a sitting positionthrough a first movement phase to an intermediate tilted position andthrough a second movement phase to a reclining position, a linkpivotally connected to said seat at a seat pivot and extendingrearwardly therefrom, means operatively connecting said back-rest tosaid link, blocking means operative between said seat and back-rest toestablish a prescribed angular relationship therebetween during saidfirst movement phase, said blocking means being arranged to precludemovement of said seat and back-rest toward each other during said firstand second movement phases and to permit movement of said seat andback-rest away from each other during said second movement phase toestablish a reclining position, a front guiding linkage including firstand second guiding links having a pivotal interconnection, said frontguiding linkage being pivotally mounted on said support at a firstpivotal mount and pivotally connected to said seat at a first pivotalconnection, rear guiding means pivotally mounted on said support at asecond pivotal mount and pivotally connected to said link at a pointspaced rearwardly or said seat pivot, a leg-rest, means mounting saidleg-rest for movement from a stored position to an elevatedleg-supporting position, means operable during said first movement phasefor moving said leg-rest to said elevated leg-supporting position, and astop engaging one of said guide means at the end of said first movementphase to establish said intermediate tilted position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES FATENTS UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,039,815 June19, 1962 Peter S, Fletcher It is hereby certified that error appears inthe above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said LettersPatent should read as corrected below.

Column 1, line 21, for "has" read have lines 30 and 34, for "leg", eachoccurrence, read legs column 4, line 35, for "link", second occurrence,read links line 43, for "link", second occurrence, read links column 6,line 47, for "138" read 136 column 7, line 22, for "link" read linksline 30, for "link", second occurrence, read links line 50, for "1'4'6read 178 column 8, line 24, for "40" read 140 line 26, for "42" read 142line 71, for "FIG, 8a" read FIG, 8 column 9, line 12, for "23b" read 236line 34, for "224" read 244 column 10, line 17, for "link", firstoccurrence, read links line 23, after "238" strike out the comma andinsert and line 25, for "243" read 246 line 26, for "link", firstoccurrence, read links line 28, for "25h" read 256 line 48, for "270"read 271 line 64, for "conenction" read connection column 14, line 13,for "mouted" read mounted line 33, for "support" read supporting line72, for "move", second occurrence, read movement Signed and sealed this18th day of December 1962 (SEAL) Attcst:

ERNEST W. SWIDER DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

